Once sang London also-ran sub-Libertines indie-popsters Les Incompetents. It wasn't a bad song in fairness, bit too much profanity for some tastes, and a little too much gibberish, but not a bad song all the same. The same indifference could be applied to Chatham's already faltering title tilt. I say that as I genuinely believed after some of our pre-season performances that this year we could have been contenders. But we're not. Yes, yes, its early, early doors (in fact, these doors are so early that if we're to take the publican analogy any further we're talking an airport Wetherspoons), but from 3 wins in 4 to 3 wins in 7, and a cup exit away from home, and its not looking so bright.
We are lacking in goals. That's without doubt. Very few clubs have scored less than us this season in the R1S, and we're now shipping them as fast as anyone else. We need to arrest this. Two things as rare as a sober, coffee quaffing breakfasteer in the aforementioned Wetherspoons coming up for Chatham, and that's consecutive home games, including an almost holy grail like rarity, a Saturday home game! This weekend sees the visit of Walton and Hersham, followed by Tuesday's visit of Faversham Town, whom we have yet to meet in a competetive game in nigh on forever, our Kent League tenure ending before their reformation in the early part of this decade. Justin Luchford's Faversham have a defensive pairing of Matt Bourne and Richard Avery, both ex Chats who'd walk into most R1S first teams but seemingly not our own, and a host of other ex Chats including Dave Botterill, Micky Tricky Dodsworth (after the 90s urban musician to whom he bears no resemblance either physically or aurally) and Justin "My Likkle Rooney" Ascheri.
Both matches should be good. I will be at the Faversham game, and will report in due course. In the meantime, enjoy Les Incompetents and their one "hit".
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Chatham Town 3 - 2 Dulwich Hamlet
Those of you who followed my twitter updates (http://twitter.com/ChathamTownBlog)on last night's game will already have an idea of the course of last night's game. Chatham won 3-2 in a game where both sides were in truth below their best, Dulwich Hamlet understandably so following the tragic death of a former youth team player, Rio McFarlane, who at 18 years of age became the latest victim of London's gun crime plague on Monday.
Hamlet had asked the league for a postponement. Many of their first team are contemporaries of McFarlane, and the first team management had nurtured him through the youth set up for which they are also responsible. News coverage of the murder is still scant, McFarlane's identity only released to the press today, and its thought he had no links to any gangs. Police dealing with a fatal accident involving a motorcyclist heard shots in Pearse Street, and found McFarlane fatally injured. Chatham Town reportedly offered a minutes silence, which was gracefully turned down by Hamlet who it is thought will choose to honour their fallen comrade at their next home game at Champion Hill. The football really fades in comparison to the 15th senseless killing of yet another teenager on the capital's streets, but all credit to Dulwich who put on a decent show and took a deserved lead in the 12th minute, when a great ball from midfield found the pacy Sol Pinnock, who whipped a low cross into the box, which James Tedder failed to get down to, and Carlton Murray-Price fired home.
Hamlet then controlled the game until around the half hour mark, pressuring well in midfield and chasing every ball with gusto. Chatham did settle eventually, and threatened an equaliser as Nick Hegley came into the game more and more. The leveller came with almost the last kick of the half, and many Chats supporters were surprised to see it stand, the first hint that Aaron Firth's tap in had counted being his almost hysterical celebration of his debut goal. But stand the goal did, a real sucker punch for a visibly shaken Hamlet as they came off, their young keeper James Dunn remaining just the right side of calm with the referee.
Into the second half, and Chatham started the brightest, and on 50 mins, Brad Potter did what Brad Potter does best, and that is drift anonymously into the box with a perfectly timed run to connect with a pin point cross, on this occasion making the best of a pin point Nick Hegley free kick to head home from just inside the six yard box and a muddle of players of both sides.
Chatham held their lead, and threatened to add further, but were pegged back by Dulwich in the 68th minute when the Chatham defence fell apart like some sort of Red Sea, for Hamlet's Tom Lancaster to make a surging run before belting the ball from all of 20 yards into Tedder's bottom right. The stalemate wasn't to last for long though. After an immediate Dulwich attack from the restart which saw Tedder save superbly at his post, Hegley won a corner for Chatham on the counter attack which Matt Solly curled for the again unmarked Potter, an identical header only at the other post for 3-2.
Chatham rallied for more goals, a refreshing site, and Jason Barton could have made it four, only to stumble into the ball from Joe Fuller's pull back. Hamlet then pinned Chatham into their own half for much of the remainder, and despite several substitutions, could not muster an equaliser, that to be frank, had it happened, would not have been robbery.
After a few anxious minutes of added time, the whistle blew on a game that saw three rather hollow points for Chatham.
Would like to see: Callum O'Shea return. We only seem to attack on the left wing. He can play the right. But that would mean dropping Brad Potter, and at the moment he scores approximately 33% of our goals.
Man of the Match: Joe Fuller. Combined superbly with both Hegley and new strike partner Aaron Firth all night.
You wouldn't believe it: The geniuses at the Ryman League, who refused to postpone this match as McFarlane wasn't registered as a player at Hamlet. The fact that he was very much a talented player with a big future (he scored in his debut for Cambridge United's reserves the day he died) , and understandably a well liked former player of the club and friend of many players, officials and the club management, seemingly ignored. And this in the same week that the same league allowed Croydon Athletic to postpones its immediate games in the Ryman Premier league because they can't fulfill their fixtures, because the allegedly criminal owner (the international cricket fixer who fell for that fake sheik) funnily enough no longer has any money to, by his own admission, launder through the club. Harlow Town's benefactor disappeared for some reason last season, and they, like many of the financially stricken clubs throughout the non league game, kept the season alive by fielding a mixture of youth and unpaid players for the season. Croydon have a youth set up that predates Mr Cricket -BetUnfair's involvement with the club, and those players should be used. Its almost as if the league are embarrassed by the ease with which Croydon Athletic bought the Ryman 1 South title last season with players of too high a calibre to be funded by average crowds of 200 bored Palace fans. Its almost as if they're embarrassed by the fact that they never questioned the money. Some including myself, did. Here's a post from 2009.
http://chathamtownfc.blogspot.com/2009/08/money-will-out.html
Hamlet had asked the league for a postponement. Many of their first team are contemporaries of McFarlane, and the first team management had nurtured him through the youth set up for which they are also responsible. News coverage of the murder is still scant, McFarlane's identity only released to the press today, and its thought he had no links to any gangs. Police dealing with a fatal accident involving a motorcyclist heard shots in Pearse Street, and found McFarlane fatally injured. Chatham Town reportedly offered a minutes silence, which was gracefully turned down by Hamlet who it is thought will choose to honour their fallen comrade at their next home game at Champion Hill. The football really fades in comparison to the 15th senseless killing of yet another teenager on the capital's streets, but all credit to Dulwich who put on a decent show and took a deserved lead in the 12th minute, when a great ball from midfield found the pacy Sol Pinnock, who whipped a low cross into the box, which James Tedder failed to get down to, and Carlton Murray-Price fired home.
Hamlet then controlled the game until around the half hour mark, pressuring well in midfield and chasing every ball with gusto. Chatham did settle eventually, and threatened an equaliser as Nick Hegley came into the game more and more. The leveller came with almost the last kick of the half, and many Chats supporters were surprised to see it stand, the first hint that Aaron Firth's tap in had counted being his almost hysterical celebration of his debut goal. But stand the goal did, a real sucker punch for a visibly shaken Hamlet as they came off, their young keeper James Dunn remaining just the right side of calm with the referee.
Into the second half, and Chatham started the brightest, and on 50 mins, Brad Potter did what Brad Potter does best, and that is drift anonymously into the box with a perfectly timed run to connect with a pin point cross, on this occasion making the best of a pin point Nick Hegley free kick to head home from just inside the six yard box and a muddle of players of both sides.
Chatham held their lead, and threatened to add further, but were pegged back by Dulwich in the 68th minute when the Chatham defence fell apart like some sort of Red Sea, for Hamlet's Tom Lancaster to make a surging run before belting the ball from all of 20 yards into Tedder's bottom right. The stalemate wasn't to last for long though. After an immediate Dulwich attack from the restart which saw Tedder save superbly at his post, Hegley won a corner for Chatham on the counter attack which Matt Solly curled for the again unmarked Potter, an identical header only at the other post for 3-2.
Chatham rallied for more goals, a refreshing site, and Jason Barton could have made it four, only to stumble into the ball from Joe Fuller's pull back. Hamlet then pinned Chatham into their own half for much of the remainder, and despite several substitutions, could not muster an equaliser, that to be frank, had it happened, would not have been robbery.
After a few anxious minutes of added time, the whistle blew on a game that saw three rather hollow points for Chatham.
Would like to see: Callum O'Shea return. We only seem to attack on the left wing. He can play the right. But that would mean dropping Brad Potter, and at the moment he scores approximately 33% of our goals.
Man of the Match: Joe Fuller. Combined superbly with both Hegley and new strike partner Aaron Firth all night.
You wouldn't believe it: The geniuses at the Ryman League, who refused to postpone this match as McFarlane wasn't registered as a player at Hamlet. The fact that he was very much a talented player with a big future (he scored in his debut for Cambridge United's reserves the day he died) , and understandably a well liked former player of the club and friend of many players, officials and the club management, seemingly ignored. And this in the same week that the same league allowed Croydon Athletic to postpones its immediate games in the Ryman Premier league because they can't fulfill their fixtures, because the allegedly criminal owner (the international cricket fixer who fell for that fake sheik) funnily enough no longer has any money to, by his own admission, launder through the club. Harlow Town's benefactor disappeared for some reason last season, and they, like many of the financially stricken clubs throughout the non league game, kept the season alive by fielding a mixture of youth and unpaid players for the season. Croydon have a youth set up that predates Mr Cricket -BetUnfair's involvement with the club, and those players should be used. Its almost as if the league are embarrassed by the ease with which Croydon Athletic bought the Ryman 1 South title last season with players of too high a calibre to be funded by average crowds of 200 bored Palace fans. Its almost as if they're embarrassed by the fact that they never questioned the money. Some including myself, did. Here's a post from 2009.
http://chathamtownfc.blogspot.com/2009/08/money-will-out.html
Monday, 6 September 2010
An early view of the season so far.
I haven't been to our last couple of games, namely the away cup game at Chertsey Town, and the recent league defeat at Walton Casuals on Saturday.
Information on the official site is scant at present, our regular away match reporter Rochester Valiant currently on cricket duties at his as yet, unnamed, local cricket side. Hopefully, he'll be back soon, his away day reportage having become an essential part of any Chats fans supporting experience over the last few years. The Medway Messenger ran a brief match report in today's edition, that has yet to make it to the online edition. Assistant Manager Mark Newson takes a view that we dropped our heads after Casuals' first goal, scored, along with their second, by Charlie Ide. Ide is a player who must be expected to bag a hatful of goals this season, his pedigree and some might say temperament detailed in the implicit in his wikipedia profile;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Ide
I predict he'll be the Ryman 1 South's top scorer this season. How can he not be?
We shouldn't be too glum about being undone by a team, who to the untrained eye should be as poor as ever, but in reality are now managed by Neil Shipperly, a son of the Medway Towns and highly experienced professional footballer. I imagine Casuals will be up there or thereabouts come the season's end.
Tomorrow sees the visit of one of those teams who conjure up all the glamour of the non-league game, Dulwich Hamlet. They boast former big names and a pink strip. They're usually a decent side, if unpredictable. I'd like to think we can turn them over tomorrow night. Matt Solly starts a ban for his sending off at Chertsey, and this should lead to a first start of the season for Lee Maskell. I'm a big fan of both players, Maskell plays with heart and talent, just like Solly. We need a win to stay in contention at the top, we're at that time of the season where, only three of four games in the wheat and the chaff start to seperate like foul milk... Tomorrow sees a full fixture list for the division, so we will still have a game in hand on most sides come 10pm tomorrow. We really need to start finding the net. Three goals in as many league outings this season is not at this time worrying, but the division looks as if its setting out an early stall for leaky defences. Joe Fuller, suspended for our last match, should return, and partner Callum O'Shea up front. Once we hit full strength, which we are far from at present, we should be unstoppable. And all that optimism...
I'll try to post an update on Wednesday on the outcome of tomorrow's match. Prediction: Chatham 3-1 Dulwich.
As an aside, assistant boss Mark Newson boasts Tottenham Hotspur among his professional clubs. Plenty of non league players and coaches name big sides in their CVs, but few are as interesting as Newson's. He was a regular throughout the 80s and early 90s at Bournemouth, and, in them days, lower league Fulham, before a spell at Barnet as their captain. Aged 35, and having never kicked a ball in anger in the top flight, he was signed by Spurs, to star in their much forgotten attempt at European glory, in the Inter-Toto cup.
And another Chatham Town meets the stars moment. Tricksy winger Nick Hegley boasted a top name Best Man at his recent wedding. Chris Kirkland. Buddies from their days as youth players at Coventry City. You never know. We might one day see Kirkland between the sticks at TOSC. He apparently wants to be a fireman when he quits the professional game. With their generous leave allowance and accomadating attitude to secondary employment, you just never know.
Information on the official site is scant at present, our regular away match reporter Rochester Valiant currently on cricket duties at his as yet, unnamed, local cricket side. Hopefully, he'll be back soon, his away day reportage having become an essential part of any Chats fans supporting experience over the last few years. The Medway Messenger ran a brief match report in today's edition, that has yet to make it to the online edition. Assistant Manager Mark Newson takes a view that we dropped our heads after Casuals' first goal, scored, along with their second, by Charlie Ide. Ide is a player who must be expected to bag a hatful of goals this season, his pedigree and some might say temperament detailed in the implicit in his wikipedia profile;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Ide
I predict he'll be the Ryman 1 South's top scorer this season. How can he not be?
We shouldn't be too glum about being undone by a team, who to the untrained eye should be as poor as ever, but in reality are now managed by Neil Shipperly, a son of the Medway Towns and highly experienced professional footballer. I imagine Casuals will be up there or thereabouts come the season's end.
Tomorrow sees the visit of one of those teams who conjure up all the glamour of the non-league game, Dulwich Hamlet. They boast former big names and a pink strip. They're usually a decent side, if unpredictable. I'd like to think we can turn them over tomorrow night. Matt Solly starts a ban for his sending off at Chertsey, and this should lead to a first start of the season for Lee Maskell. I'm a big fan of both players, Maskell plays with heart and talent, just like Solly. We need a win to stay in contention at the top, we're at that time of the season where, only three of four games in the wheat and the chaff start to seperate like foul milk... Tomorrow sees a full fixture list for the division, so we will still have a game in hand on most sides come 10pm tomorrow. We really need to start finding the net. Three goals in as many league outings this season is not at this time worrying, but the division looks as if its setting out an early stall for leaky defences. Joe Fuller, suspended for our last match, should return, and partner Callum O'Shea up front. Once we hit full strength, which we are far from at present, we should be unstoppable. And all that optimism...
I'll try to post an update on Wednesday on the outcome of tomorrow's match. Prediction: Chatham 3-1 Dulwich.
As an aside, assistant boss Mark Newson boasts Tottenham Hotspur among his professional clubs. Plenty of non league players and coaches name big sides in their CVs, but few are as interesting as Newson's. He was a regular throughout the 80s and early 90s at Bournemouth, and, in them days, lower league Fulham, before a spell at Barnet as their captain. Aged 35, and having never kicked a ball in anger in the top flight, he was signed by Spurs, to star in their much forgotten attempt at European glory, in the Inter-Toto cup.
And another Chatham Town meets the stars moment. Tricksy winger Nick Hegley boasted a top name Best Man at his recent wedding. Chris Kirkland. Buddies from their days as youth players at Coventry City. You never know. We might one day see Kirkland between the sticks at TOSC. He apparently wants to be a fireman when he quits the professional game. With their generous leave allowance and accomadating attitude to secondary employment, you just never know.
Saturday, 28 August 2010
CTFC 2 - 1 CTFC
Chatham Town are out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle. Not that we ever get very far, beaten today at Combined Counties League Chertsey. Chertsey have won their opening four league games with 13 goals scored and just one conceded. Not that much of a giant killing really, more of an oath slaying. Didn't go. No more to add. At least we don't have to face the prospect of Sittingbourne in the next round - not sure how they got on, but one less trip to the Brickies is no big loss.
Onwards and upwards for Ramsgate at home on Monday ,.
Turns out that the game on Monday is off. Ramsgate drew their cup match, and are in replay action this week so its cancelled. Can't help but think that the situation could have been avoided if the Ryman league didn't schedule fixtures for the bank holiday, 48hrs after the first cup games involving step 4 sides. I'd originally posted a bit here about the Medway News ripping off my reports. I've taken it out. I said I'd never go back and edit posts, but this time I have. I can't even be bothered to react to it other than to say, if you want to use my stuff, please ask and at least give this blog a credit.
For those of you who are interested, the report that has taken a fair amount of my Corinthian Casuals match report is here.
http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/football/Fuller-credited
-did-Chats-benefit-goal/article-2567625-detail/article.html
Similar eh?
Funny thing is, posted a similar response last season, again for the first home game. Don't remember the Medway News featuring Chatham again after that...
Onwards and upwards for Ramsgate at home on Monday ,.
Turns out that the game on Monday is off. Ramsgate drew their cup match, and are in replay action this week so its cancelled. Can't help but think that the situation could have been avoided if the Ryman league didn't schedule fixtures for the bank holiday, 48hrs after the first cup games involving step 4 sides. I'd originally posted a bit here about the Medway News ripping off my reports. I've taken it out. I said I'd never go back and edit posts, but this time I have. I can't even be bothered to react to it other than to say, if you want to use my stuff, please ask and at least give this blog a credit.
For those of you who are interested, the report that has taken a fair amount of my Corinthian Casuals match report is here.
http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/football/Fuller-credited
-did-Chats-benefit-goal/article-2567625-detail/article.html
Similar eh?
Funny thing is, posted a similar response last season, again for the first home game. Don't remember the Medway News featuring Chatham again after that...
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Auteurs 1-0 Amateurs
Chatham started the season yesterday with a convincing 1-0 win over historical amatuers Corinthian Casuals at TOSC. Joe Fuller has been credited with the goal, but it looked very much like an own goal by unlucky Corinth keeper Luke Naughton.
Chatham started with Calum O'Shea and Joe Fuller leading the line, neither of whom would be Paul Foley's first choice in them positions. O'Shea is a fantastic winger, yet the two combined well and O'Shea launched many of the Chats' attacks sitting deep behind fuller, combining well with Brad Potter and Nick Hegley on many occasions.
Corinth rarely threatened, James Tedder having to make only one save of note alongside a couple of shots that had the home directors ducking for cover in the Pavillion End, and had it not been for some solid keeping at the other end by Naughton, Chatham could have won this game by at least three.
With Uche Ibemere and Danny Penny both out, we can expect things on the pitch to improve. To be frank, we still looked good without them. In fact, the football was very very good - I don't recall seeing such good passing and movement at TOSC (well, at least not be the home side).
Off the pitch, the club have announced they are now trading as Private Limited Company. This coincides with a "fanshare" scheme, similar to that of Arsenal and Barcelona, the aim being to raise much needed funds to improve the corporate facilities at the ground. £50 buys one share, and the voting rights that come with it. I'm feeling very positive about it, but would like to see some sort of reward scheme for shareholders, perhaps discounts on entry / bar / merchandise. That said, don't think this to be negative, anything that aims to improve the club's standing from its forever and a day mid table mediocrity and low profile should be rewarded.
Tuesday sees us travel to Merstham, where another three points would be most welcome. Sadly, our next Saturday home match is not until 25th September, and its then another month until our next Ryman League Soccer Saturday... plenty of Tuesdays I suppose, but in truth summer came and went yesterday didn't it? Hope we've got a good deal with our electricity supplier.
Chatham started with Calum O'Shea and Joe Fuller leading the line, neither of whom would be Paul Foley's first choice in them positions. O'Shea is a fantastic winger, yet the two combined well and O'Shea launched many of the Chats' attacks sitting deep behind fuller, combining well with Brad Potter and Nick Hegley on many occasions.
Corinth rarely threatened, James Tedder having to make only one save of note alongside a couple of shots that had the home directors ducking for cover in the Pavillion End, and had it not been for some solid keeping at the other end by Naughton, Chatham could have won this game by at least three.
With Uche Ibemere and Danny Penny both out, we can expect things on the pitch to improve. To be frank, we still looked good without them. In fact, the football was very very good - I don't recall seeing such good passing and movement at TOSC (well, at least not be the home side).
Off the pitch, the club have announced they are now trading as Private Limited Company. This coincides with a "fanshare" scheme, similar to that of Arsenal and Barcelona, the aim being to raise much needed funds to improve the corporate facilities at the ground. £50 buys one share, and the voting rights that come with it. I'm feeling very positive about it, but would like to see some sort of reward scheme for shareholders, perhaps discounts on entry / bar / merchandise. That said, don't think this to be negative, anything that aims to improve the club's standing from its forever and a day mid table mediocrity and low profile should be rewarded.
Tuesday sees us travel to Merstham, where another three points would be most welcome. Sadly, our next Saturday home match is not until 25th September, and its then another month until our next Ryman League Soccer Saturday... plenty of Tuesdays I suppose, but in truth summer came and went yesterday didn't it? Hope we've got a good deal with our electricity supplier.
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Squad announced.... Ibermere, Solly and Laker on contract.
The full squad for the coming season is on the official site.
http://tinyurl.com/2vq86q3
No room for youth product and England Schoolboy Michael Scott by the look of things, but that said, I think he's probably due to go to university this year.
This blog called for Uche Ibermere, Matt Solly and Ryan Laker to get contracts. I'm sure Paul Foley (Axel, to the fans / me / one other) doesn't read this, but its good to know he spotted the quality that I did. We've got such a strong squad, and by all accounts the football we witnessed against Ebbsfleet wasn't a one off, with a subsequent 2-0 win over Maidstone's first team, and a creditable 1-1 draw against fellow Premier side Folkestone.
This Saturday sees the season kick off. A first chance to really get to know our new players, James Tedder should start in goal ahead of new signing Adam Molloy. Why on earth Ollie Cotton doesn't want to play, who knows, but I'm sure we've got enough. Ollie was that impressive in his recent return spell, I think he'd possibly pip Tedder to the no1 shirt.
Elsewhere, Danny Penny is out for possibly the best part of the season with a sore knee. Joe Fuller and Uche Ibemere should start as our front two, but continuing the theme of "famous sons" new signing George "Just call me dad QPR and Spurs Legend Terry Fenwick" Fenwick is an interesting addition to the squad. For those of you who don't remember El Tel MkII, the joys of 80s football and tackles that were simply a part of the game, and not a straight red card, here's a treat for you from the 1982 Cup Final...
Callum O'Shea and Nick Hegley should be our wingers in a 4-4-2, with my tip being Solly and Maskell in the middle. At the back, I'll be honest I don't know who any of them are this term. Potter may get shifted to right back, but he's a better midfielder than full back. In all honesty, last season's closure of the Luton End gave many a chance to more closely examine our backline, which at times last year was much like being asked to inspect your own soil stack in the event of a blockage - ie pretty unpleasant. The Luton End appears to be nearer completion, and having been open for pre-season I'd love it to re-open for at least some of this term. If it remains closed for competitive fixtures, I should be able to give my biased and poorly formed opinions on our defence sooner rather than later... who knows.
3.00pm Saturday. Maidstone Road Theatre of Slapstick Comedy. Corninthian Casuals our guests. Let's get a quick 3 points on the board. Its going to be a season to remember (which I might have said this time last year, but you get the point...)
Until next time, C'Mon Les Chats!!
http://tinyurl.com/2vq86q3
No room for youth product and England Schoolboy Michael Scott by the look of things, but that said, I think he's probably due to go to university this year.
This blog called for Uche Ibermere, Matt Solly and Ryan Laker to get contracts. I'm sure Paul Foley (Axel, to the fans / me / one other) doesn't read this, but its good to know he spotted the quality that I did. We've got such a strong squad, and by all accounts the football we witnessed against Ebbsfleet wasn't a one off, with a subsequent 2-0 win over Maidstone's first team, and a creditable 1-1 draw against fellow Premier side Folkestone.
This Saturday sees the season kick off. A first chance to really get to know our new players, James Tedder should start in goal ahead of new signing Adam Molloy. Why on earth Ollie Cotton doesn't want to play, who knows, but I'm sure we've got enough. Ollie was that impressive in his recent return spell, I think he'd possibly pip Tedder to the no1 shirt.
Elsewhere, Danny Penny is out for possibly the best part of the season with a sore knee. Joe Fuller and Uche Ibemere should start as our front two, but continuing the theme of "famous sons" new signing George "Just call me dad QPR and Spurs Legend Terry Fenwick" Fenwick is an interesting addition to the squad. For those of you who don't remember El Tel MkII, the joys of 80s football and tackles that were simply a part of the game, and not a straight red card, here's a treat for you from the 1982 Cup Final...
Callum O'Shea and Nick Hegley should be our wingers in a 4-4-2, with my tip being Solly and Maskell in the middle. At the back, I'll be honest I don't know who any of them are this term. Potter may get shifted to right back, but he's a better midfielder than full back. In all honesty, last season's closure of the Luton End gave many a chance to more closely examine our backline, which at times last year was much like being asked to inspect your own soil stack in the event of a blockage - ie pretty unpleasant. The Luton End appears to be nearer completion, and having been open for pre-season I'd love it to re-open for at least some of this term. If it remains closed for competitive fixtures, I should be able to give my biased and poorly formed opinions on our defence sooner rather than later... who knows.
3.00pm Saturday. Maidstone Road Theatre of Slapstick Comedy. Corninthian Casuals our guests. Let's get a quick 3 points on the board. Its going to be a season to remember (which I might have said this time last year, but you get the point...)
Until next time, C'Mon Les Chats!!
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
White Road 4 - 1 Wallis Park
North Kent's grimmest towns (arguably) met in a pre-season encounter at TOSC last night, with Chatham running out 4-1 winners against Ebbsfleet United.
Fleet took the chance to rest several first teamers ahead of the opening Blue Square South game this coming Saturday, and played with an experimental back four, but did feature the talents of 32 year old Leon McKenzie, a man who played Championship football for Coventry as recently as 2009, and played several times for League One Charlton last season.
Chatham took a first half lead through a rejuvenated Ryan Restell. The youth team product is coming into his own under Paul Foley and put in a man of the match performance with two goals and an assist for the fourth.
KoS media reported it as a flattering scoreline for Chatham. It was anything but. Fleet threatened often but failed to make possession count for goals, Ollie Cotton, returning to the Chatham goal after a six year absence putting in a performance that has rightly led to some Fleet fans asking on their forum that Liam Daish signs him up as a number 2 to the rested Preson Edwards. James Tedder, still not recovered fully from the head gash that has ruled him out of all but the first fifteen minutes of pre-season must be worried. Cotton looked in fine form, making several fine blocks and showing safe hands under pressure.
Restell's early goal was quickly ruled out by Paul Benjamin, who had time to take a touch and place a shot whilst unmarked in the box, but shortly after Restell scored a fine goal, using one touch to take it back to his left and wide of the last defender, before placing a fine half volley past the stranded Hagan.
The second half started in earnest, Fleet unhappy at the scoreline, but they failed to take numerous chances, underlining not only their lack of accuracy but also the need for Chatham to install a large net at the Luton end to catch stray balls going into the trees.
Gary Ward added a third after continual pressure from Chatham again exposed the Ebbsfleet rearguard, and a fourth was added within minutes of the final whistle when the debuting Joe Fuller worked well with Restell on the wing to create space before whistling a shot in at the near post.
Callum O'Shea and Lee Maskell were both very impressive, as was Gary Ward for a Chatham side still being learned by many of the Chats faithful. O'Shea, a Charlton trainee has the pace of a young professional, and can turn tricks on the wing, and provide crosses with accuracy. His corner taking was excellent, and will be a great addition to the side if Chatham can retain his services. There was no Uche Imbemere on show last night, which goes to show the real depth Paul Foley has established in his squad. So much so, Ashley Probets, released by Dartford and expected by many to be a shoe-in at TOSC, has signed today for Thamesmead Town. Interesting times await.
A bumper crowd should be expected for Saturday's friendly with a disgruntled Maidstone, before our final friendly next Tuesday at home again to Ryman Premier opposition in the form of Folkestone Invicta. The first game of the Ryman season is on the 21st when we entertain the old amateurs, Corinthian Casuals. It'll be interesting to see how we get on, and I'll be letting you know on the 22nd.
Fleet took the chance to rest several first teamers ahead of the opening Blue Square South game this coming Saturday, and played with an experimental back four, but did feature the talents of 32 year old Leon McKenzie, a man who played Championship football for Coventry as recently as 2009, and played several times for League One Charlton last season.
Chatham took a first half lead through a rejuvenated Ryan Restell. The youth team product is coming into his own under Paul Foley and put in a man of the match performance with two goals and an assist for the fourth.
KoS media reported it as a flattering scoreline for Chatham. It was anything but. Fleet threatened often but failed to make possession count for goals, Ollie Cotton, returning to the Chatham goal after a six year absence putting in a performance that has rightly led to some Fleet fans asking on their forum that Liam Daish signs him up as a number 2 to the rested Preson Edwards. James Tedder, still not recovered fully from the head gash that has ruled him out of all but the first fifteen minutes of pre-season must be worried. Cotton looked in fine form, making several fine blocks and showing safe hands under pressure.
Restell's early goal was quickly ruled out by Paul Benjamin, who had time to take a touch and place a shot whilst unmarked in the box, but shortly after Restell scored a fine goal, using one touch to take it back to his left and wide of the last defender, before placing a fine half volley past the stranded Hagan.
The second half started in earnest, Fleet unhappy at the scoreline, but they failed to take numerous chances, underlining not only their lack of accuracy but also the need for Chatham to install a large net at the Luton end to catch stray balls going into the trees.
Gary Ward added a third after continual pressure from Chatham again exposed the Ebbsfleet rearguard, and a fourth was added within minutes of the final whistle when the debuting Joe Fuller worked well with Restell on the wing to create space before whistling a shot in at the near post.
Callum O'Shea and Lee Maskell were both very impressive, as was Gary Ward for a Chatham side still being learned by many of the Chats faithful. O'Shea, a Charlton trainee has the pace of a young professional, and can turn tricks on the wing, and provide crosses with accuracy. His corner taking was excellent, and will be a great addition to the side if Chatham can retain his services. There was no Uche Imbemere on show last night, which goes to show the real depth Paul Foley has established in his squad. So much so, Ashley Probets, released by Dartford and expected by many to be a shoe-in at TOSC, has signed today for Thamesmead Town. Interesting times await.
A bumper crowd should be expected for Saturday's friendly with a disgruntled Maidstone, before our final friendly next Tuesday at home again to Ryman Premier opposition in the form of Folkestone Invicta. The first game of the Ryman season is on the 21st when we entertain the old amateurs, Corinthian Casuals. It'll be interesting to see how we get on, and I'll be letting you know on the 22nd.
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